subject: What Are the Risks Associated with a Facelift? [print this page] Reaction to anesthesia is not really a risk with a facelift, but rather, a risk that is associated with your overall medical health and age. Most patients who undergo a facelift are older, and may have preexisting medical illnesses such as diabetes or high blood pressure that need to addressed by the anesthesiologist and your family doctor before your procedure. A reaction to anesthesia is rare, but it usually associated with your overall health and not necessarily with your facelift procedure.